You can feel the pulse as you walk down any street in Hong Kong. It is frenetic and constant and has you picking up your pace without even realizing you are doing it. Hong Kong is a place that is alive with people who seem to be on a mission to get somewhere, all in record time.

In five nights here I have explored this foodie paradise and dined on everything Asian. From Korean BBQ to some of the best sushi in the world, I’ve enjoyed every single bite. I’ve taken pictures of the skyline and shared them on www.facebook.com/murphytravels. The shots during the day are beautiful, but the ones taken at night are absolutely stunning.

The best way to take in the views is via a trip on the Star Ferry. Just jump on and head over to the Kowloon Peninsula from the Hong Kong Island side. This service takes you back in time since it was originally founded in 1888 as the Kowloon Ferry Company and renamed the Star Ferry in 1898. It has operated continuously since then bringing tourists and locals across Victoria Harbour.

There are three tunnels that can take you by taxi and the MTR, which can take you by train, but there’s nothing quite like riding the ferry. When you hop off you are near the Intercontinental Hotel and its lounge that looks out on the Hong Kong skyline and Hong Kong Harbour. You can cool off from the warm night with a cold beer or cocktail.

Who should visit Hong Kong? I’d recommend this great city to anyone who likes shopping, eating, great hotels, outstanding service and cultural experiences. Hong Kong has it all. The challenge comes down to distance in the minds of many.

The reality is Hong Kong is much closer than it might appear on a map. From New York to Hong Kong my flight took just over 15 hours. That’s only a few hours longer than a typical non-stop flight to Hawaii and I slept for more than half of the trip. Three movies later I was landing in Hong Kong at 7 p.m. in the evening, ready to meet up with some friends and enjoy the night. Dinner, drinks and some late night karaoke made for a fun-filled evening followed by a beautiful sunrise.

Being able to outlast the locals is one of the byproducts of the 12-hour time difference. At 3 a.m. you feel like it’s the middle of the day and you start looking for the next place to go -- and go we did! Instead of fighting the time difference, we used it to our advantage to enjoy one of my favorite cities in the world. If you haven’t been to Hong Kong, it’s time for a visit. If you’ve visited in the past, go back and see how the skyline has changed and grown. Put Hong Kong on your list and then just go. You’ll be glad you did.

Mark Murphy is president and CEO of Travalliancemedia, parent of TravelPulse.com, Agent@Home magazine, Vacation Agent magazine, Travel Agent Academy, Virtual Travel Events and Agent Studio.